Issue - meetings

(a)       That a working group be established to re-write the rules for officers and Members contained within the Constitution on how information is shared inside the Council;

(b)       That the working group should consist of up to 8 members including the Chair or Vice Chair of the Committee, Cabinet Members for Education, Housing and Social Services (whose portfolios handle the most sensitive personal data) plus 1 member from each of the other political groups; and

(c)       That the working group be asked to report to the Constitution and Democratic Services Committee in time for it to make recommendations to the Annual Meeting of Council in May 2018.

The Chief Officer (Governance) presented a report on a proposed review of rules within the Constitution on sharing information.  The aim was to clarify what levels of information could be shared inside the Council to meet the needs of Members and to comply with legislation.

The recommended approach was to establish a cross-party working group led by the Vice-Chair of the Committee (in the absence of the Chair) with representation by the Cabinet Members for Social Services, Housing and Education as the portfolio holders handling the most sensitive data.

The proposed review was welcomed by Members who recognised the importance of safeguarding against the pitfalls of sharing information.

The Chief Officer confirmed that he would attend meetings to provide advice to the working group, along with other relevant officers.  He recommended that the working group adopt a staged approach to allow detailed consideration and understanding of the topic.  The rules would then be shared for consultation prior to seeking adoption by Council in May 2018.  He agreed to contact Group Leaders on the membership on the working group.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That a working group be established to re-write the rules for officers and Members contained within the Constitution on how information is shared inside the Council;

(b)       That the working group should consist of up to 8 members including the Chair or Vice Chair of the Committee, Cabinet Members for Education, Housing and Social Services (whose portfolios handle the most sensitive personal data) plus 1 member from each of the other political groups; and

(c)       That the working group be asked to report to the Constitution and Democratic Services Committee in time for it to make recommendations to the Annual Meeting of Council in May 2018.